One can simply create and top up a Suica card within the Apple Wallet on every iPhone. Why would I want this app when paying with Apple Wallet on my iPhone and Apple Watch is much faster and more convenient? If the app allowed me to use a pre-existing Suica card (from my Apple Wallet), I might have been persuaded to keep it on my phone, but as it stands, it’s utterly useless. One cannot check the app’s functionality (passes) without first topping up. That’s like having to first pay in a shop to find out what they sell afterwards. Also, it clearly states in the app that one loses the money in the card after 180 days!? That’s ridiculous. Avoid this app!

Could not have been easier to use. It works at all train stations within Tokyo with the tap of your device, even if the battery is dead. I can’t speak to outside of Tokyo as I did not travel there. Very easy to load with Apple Wallet, though you can only load once you’re in the country. 5,000 yen got me through 5 days of frequent train travel and then I topped off a few times to be able to use for payment in convenience stores, restaurants, attractions, etc. It does expire after 180 days, but for most visitors it doesn’t seem like this would be a problem. Just load in small amounts towards the end of your trip and if you have some leftover you can spend it in the airport vending machines to stay hydrated on your flight home.

We were a little hesitant based on some negative reviews, but tried it anyway because we couldn’t get the physical suica card. So glad we did! It was very easy to reload and check the balance, while the physical cards were not. It was also very easy to use, and did indeed work when the phone was dead! You cannot use it for more than one person when on the train, because it tracks when you start and finish your trip, but if it’s a flat fare or pay-at-the-end like on some buses, you cash pay for more than one person.Very thankful we ended up doing this! Really convenient and helpful!!

Felt compelled to write this review given the app had such low ratings and my experience was pretty flawless.Downloading this app allows you to use the card in your apple wallet so you can tap on and off for all public transit in japan except for special trains like Shinkansen and reserved seating lines where you need a separate ticket even if you had the physical suica card.I had no issues tapping on, off train and bus lines or adding money to the card and could do it in very short time where if I tried to tap while getting on and didn’t have enough could just step to the side and add the money in less than 10 seconds and be on my way.The only gotchas I can think of are make sure your phone is charged (does also support tapping without turning on your phone screen and even after you run out of battery for 4-5 hours) and don’t add too much money unless your confident you’re going to use it because there is a use or lose policy.